iVillage: Oral Fixations: What Your Mouth Can Say About Your Health

Oral Oddity: Translucent Teeth

Bad breath? Black tongue? Dry mouth? Our experts reveal the reasons behind these and other ailments -Jessie KnadlerMight mean: You’re suffering from acid reflux -- a condition in which stomach acid splashes back up into the esophagus and, in some cases, all the way to the mouth, causing heartburn and a sour taste. Typical triggers include spicy foods and heavy lifting, as well as lying down immediately after meals. “Over time, this acid can erode tooth enamel giving your teeth an opaque cast,” explains Cleveland-area dentist Matthew Messina. To nix reflux, reduce your intake of acidic foods like citrus fruits and sodas and avoid eating two hours before bed, suggests Russell Maier, M.D., a family physician in Yakima, Wash. To tweak your teeth, speak with your dentist, says Messina. He or she can easily apply some bonded composite (tooth-colored filling material) to transform teeth back to their original appearance.

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Bad breath? Black tongue? Dry mouth? Our experts reveal the reasons behind these and other ailments -Jessie KnadlerMight mean: You’re suffering from acid reflux -- a condition in which stomach acid splashes back up into the esophagus and, in some cases, all the way to the mouth, causing heartburn and a sour taste. Typical triggers include spicy foods and heavy lifting, as well as lying down immediately after meals. “Over time, this acid can erode tooth enamel giving your teeth an opaque cast,” explains Cleveland-area dentist Matthew Messina. To nix reflux, reduce your intake of acidic foods like citrus fruits and sodas and avoid eating two hours before bed, suggests Russell Maier, M.D., a family physician in Yakima, Wash. To tweak your teeth, speak with your dentist, says Messina. He or she can easily apply some bonded composite (tooth-colored filling material) to transform teeth back to their original appearance.

Might mean: You’ve got bruxism -- also known as teeth grinding -- triggered by too much stress, says Messina. To combat this clenching, try integrating exercise, meditation, or other stress-shedding activities into your daily routine. And contact your dentist: he or she can create a customized mouth guard to protect your pearly whites while you sleep.

Might mean: You have Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which the body cannot produce enough moisture, such as saliva or tears, says Maier. With Sjögren's, he explains, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks tear ducts and saliva glands, leading to chronically dry eyes and mouth. Parched pout aside, a dry mouth can also up a person’s risk of cavities and other dental problems, Messina explains, since saliva bathes teeth, helping to keep decay-causing bacteria at bay. Although the mouth is one of the areas affected, this condition is typically treated by an ophthalmologist. “They’ll likely administer a saliva and tear production test to reach a formal diagnosis,” says Maier. "While, there’s no cure, there are a number of prescription medications available to treat symptoms.

Might mean: Halitosis (or persistent bad breath, even after brushing and flossing) can be caused by a variety of factors, including, in some cases, undiagnosed diabetes, states Maier. The reason: Diabetics don’t produce enough of the hormone insulin -- a compound needed to process glucose for energy. Without glucose, the body begins to break down fat into ketones, an acid that builds up in the saliva (as well as the blood and urine), and this can spur foul-smelling breath, explains Maier. Other signs include chronic thirst and extreme fatigue. Suspect this is your problem? Contact your family physician to schedule a full check-up.

Might mean: You’re anemic. Anemia occurs when the body lacks enough iron to make hemoglobin, a protein-based component of red blood cells responsible for transferring nourishing oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, says Maier. So, how do pale gums play in? "Your gums contain a lot of blood vessels,” he says, "and anemia leads to less red blood cells in the blood, which can literally make your gums look less pink. While the fix can be as simple as upping your intake of iron-rich foods like beef, it’s best to speak with your doctor first, since pale gums can indicate other things."

Might mean: If it persists beyond a day or two, it may be dysgeusia, explains Messina, an altered sense of taste that can signal a deficiency of zinc, a mineral that promotes the growth and development of the body’s taste bud cells. To get to the bottom of the issue, see your doc, Messina suggests. A physician can make a concrete diagnosis with a simple blood test. People with a zinc deficiency may have to boost their intake from sources like oysters, red meat and poultry.

Might mean: You’ve got gum disease. “Poor oral hygiene can result in a buildup of tartar on teeth, eventually triggering chronic inflammation of the gums (also known as gingivitis),” explains Messina. “If this situation isn’t treated, it can advance to periodontitis (also known as gum disease), in which the gums pull away from teeth.” These empty spaces then become like open wounds, he says, allowing bacteria in the mouth easy access into the blood stream -- and this bacteria may then travel into your arteries, setting the stage for serious health problems including stroke or heart attack. To combat problems, Messina says, clean up your dental routine. Brush and floss daily and schedule regular check-ups (every six months) with your dentist to head off future health woes.

Might mean: A brown or black tongue is likely a temporary stain left by common substances such as coffee or tobacco, explains Maier. However, a white or yellow tongue (accompanied by itching or tenderness) may indicate a bacterial or fungal infection. Fortunately, he says, these issues can be easily treated with prescription drugs.

Might mean: “Geographic tongue,” a benign condition characterized by a map-like pattern of red spots. While doctors don’t know exactly what causes it (though many suspect spicy foods), geographic tongue typically goes away on its own within a week, says Messina. If it doesn’t, and you notice the spots becoming larger, see a doctor, he says, as this can be a sign of serious disease, including oral cancer.

Might mean: These small ulcers, which appear on the soft tissue inside the mouth, can be triggered by stress or consuming too many acidic foods, says Maier. Frequent offenders include citrus and tomatoes. “Canker sores typically heal by themselves without treatment in about 10 to 14 days,” he says. “But to alleviate the uncomfortable burn and tingle they produce, call your doctor. He or she can prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse, a corticosteroid ointment, or topical steroid to reduce the pain and irritation.”